Recruiting: Michigan State targets to know for 2014

August 17, 2012

By Matt Dorsey

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

LB Deon Drake of Detroit Cass Tech

High school football season is set to kickoff next weekend and Michigan State is already focused on several prospects who will be juniors this fall.

The Spartans’ coaching staff hopes to host all of the players listed below on unofficial visits to see the Spartans in action against teams like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska.

Here is a look at five players that will be on the Spartans’ recruiting radar this fall:

• OC Brian Allen of Hinsdale Central High School, Ill.: Allen is the brother of current Spartan Jack Allen and he will likely be an even more sought after recruit. The younger Allen already holds early scholarship offers from MSU, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The 6-foot-1, 250-pounder has camped in East Lansing the last two summers and has spent an extensive amount of time working with position coaches Mark Staten and Dan Roushar. Allen will almost certainly be a Rivals.com top 250 recruit.

LB Deon Drake of Detroit Cass Tech: Under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans have had arguably the best linebacker play in the Big Ten the last few seasons. The staff wants to continue that trend and they view the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Drake as a player that has the ability to help accomplish that. Drake is extremely athletic and he has already received scholarship offers from the Spartans, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Iowa. Drake recently visited East Lansing with his family and enjoyed his time on campus.

LB Clifton Garrett of Plainfield South High School, Ill.: Garrett will be one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation for the class of 2014. He already has an extensive scholarship list which includes MSU, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Garrett recently stated that MSU is currently sitting at the top of his list and he plans on attending several games this fall. The MSU coaches believe that Garrett's physical style of play -- at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds -- will translate very well to what the Spartans like to do on defense.

WR Thaddeus Snodgrass of Springfield High School, Ohio: MSU was the first BCS team to offer Snodgrass a scholarship after he had a strong performance at their camp. Shortly afterwards Ohio State, Wisconsin and Purdue decided to offer him as well. Snodgrass has stated that grew up following Michigan State and is well aware of the overall success at his position. A combination of Snodgrass and current commitment Drake Harris would likely give the Spartans the best wide receiver duo in the Big Ten.

CB Damon Webb of Detroit Cass Tech: Webb has seen his recruitment explode this summer and he now holds scholarship offers from MSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin and LSU. Webb took an unofficial visit to MSU earlier this month and enjoyed his time on campus. Head Coach Mark Dantonio is a former Division 1 defensive back and was originally a defensive back coach at Michigan State under Nick Saban. You can be sure he will be actively involved in the recruitment of the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Webb.

Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.